A spirited Pune FC fought back from a two-goal deficit to hold last year's quarter-finalists Kitchee SC to a 2-2 draw in an AFC Cup group match here today.
Playing their first overseas encounter, Pune FC rallied with goals from Mirjan Pavlovic (55th) and winger Gabriel Fernandes (74th) after the five-time Hong Kong champions led 2-0 at half time through Fernando Recia (28th) and Juan Belencoso (42nd) in a Group H fixture at the Mong Kok Stadium.
After today's result, Pune FC are on two points from two draws while Kitchee are on four points from a win and a draw. Pune FC had played out a 2-2 draw against Myanmar side Nay Pyi Taw at home on February 26.
The half-time introduction of Mirjan and defender Gurjinder Kumar did the trick for Pune FC in getting the goals up front, but goalkeeper Amrinder Singh's heroics in the second half also kept Pune FC in the game.
Coach Mike Snoei made three changes to the starting line-up, handing starts to defender Anas Edathodika, medio Fanai Lalrempuia and Arata Izumi in place of Salam Ranjan Singh, Anthony D'Souza and Pavlovic.
Both sides began the game cautiously in cold, damp and slippery conditions.
Seven minutes into the match, it was Pune FC who went close first. Arata cut back to Douhou Pierre from the left and the playmaker sent him through. However, Arata's attempt from the edge of the box sailed over.
At the other end, Kitchee went close on a couple of occasions. First, winger Cheung Kun Fung's dangerous low cross from the left was gathered by custodian Amrinder Singh before parrying away defender Fernando's attempt at the goal from outside the box.
Two minutes from the half hour mark, the hosts took the lead on a counter attack after Pune FC lost the ball in the midfield. Fernando set on a run down the left and combined with fellow Spaniard Belencoso before scoring from the edge of the box.
